Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter.
Today’s top stories
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified for more than six hours yesterday in a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee. The Republican-led committee subpoenaed Hillary and former President Bill Clinton as part of its investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Hillary Clinton has denied knowing Epstein and repeated that denial to the committee. The Clintons initially resisted the subpoena but agreed to be questioned after the committee threatened contempt of Congress. Bill Clinton, who appears multiple times in the Epstein files, is set to answer questions today.
Takeaways from Hillary Clinton’s deposition:
– She denied any knowledge of Epstein and reiterated that in the closed session.
– She answered nearly every question, often deferring specific queries about Bill Clinton to him.
– Committee Chairman James Comer said Bill Clinton’s hearing is expected to last longer and cover more ground.
– Hillary said the deposition should have been public and described the questioning as repetitive.
– NPR reporting indicates Bill Clinton is likely to discuss how his relationship with Epstein ended years before Epstein’s criminal conduct came to light.
The Warner Bros. Discovery board announced yesterday that Paramount’s sweetened bid for the entire company is “superior” to Netflix’s $83 billion offer. Netflix’s proposed deal would have bought the company’s streaming services, studios and intellectual property, but Netflix opted not to try to top Paramount’s roughly $111 billion proposal.
Key points about the deal:
– Paramount’s bid would combine major assets — including CBS, CBS News, CNN, Comedy Central and TBS — under one corporate roof, creating a very large entertainment company.
– The merger would position the combined company as a major player competing with Netflix, Apple and Amazon.
– The deal still faces antitrust review and regulatory scrutiny.
– Paramount CEO David Ellison and his family are close to President Trump; the Ellisons and other media owners have taken positions seen as trying to appease Trump and his allies, particularly over concerns about CNN.
U.S.-Iran tensions
President Trump is not ruling out military strikes on Iran but has not publicly outlined specific objectives, sought congressional authorization, or fully explained the reasoning to the American people. The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to continue talks about Tehran’s nuclear program next week.
Possible U.S. approaches reportedly under consideration:
– Limited strikes against Iran’s ballistic missile program, nuclear-related sites, or leadership targets.
– A larger campaign intended to destabilize the country or aim at regime change.
Negotiations continue; Iran has repeatedly refused to negotiate on ballistic missiles, a sticking point for U.S. officials.
Other news
A federal judge cleared the way for President Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom project to proceed for now, denying the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s effort to pause construction. The judge left open the possibility of a revised filing; the preservation group alleges the president bypassed proper procedures in tearing down parts of the East Wing and soliciting private donations. Trump hailed the ruling on social media.
Life advice: prior authorizations
When insurers require prior authorization for costly treatments or tests, doctors submit requests explaining medical necessity and insurers decide whether to cover the care. Tips for navigating prior authorizations:
– Contact your insurer or pharmacy benefit manager to learn how long prior authorization lasts.
– Tell your doctor about your medication supply and any worsening symptoms; ask them to request expedited review if needed.
– Ask your doctor about alternative treatments that might be on your plan’s formulary to avoid delays.
Weekend picks
– Movies: Hasan Hadi’s debut feature The President’s Cake, about a nine-year-old tasked with baking a birthday cake for Saddam Hussein, examines how life under the dictator destroyed children’s innocence.
– TV: The reality show The Traitors is a weekly appointment for Pop Culture Happy Hour hosts, praised for drama, alliances and treachery.
– Books: Allegra Goodman’s new novel This Is Not About Us draws readers into recognizably human family dynamics.
– Music: NPR Music’s picks for the best new songs of the week include tracks from Lana Del Rey and U2.
– Quiz: Try this week’s newsletter quiz to test how well you followed the stories.
3 things to know before you go
1. Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented Trump with a mock newspaper headlined “Trump to City: Let’s Build” during a meeting about New York City housing.
2. U.S. mortgage rates have fallen below 6% for the first time since September 2022.
3. A story about a coworker named Bob who attended a Father’s Day softball game in place of a child’s ill father highlights an everyday act of kindness.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.